Olympic Council of Asia : National Olympic Committees | NOCs | Countries Bhutan Bhutan meaning Druk Yul - Land of the Thunder Dragon is landlocked between China and India. It gained independence or became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king in 1907. The capital is Thimphu, its main exports are Electricity, timber, cement, agricultural products and handicrafts. The major profession of the people of Bhutan is farming. Culture The culture of Bhutan is among the oldest, most carefully guarded and well preserved cultures in the world. People of Bhutan have always been careful about conserving their centuries-old culture. Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan is one of the large towns in Bhutan. The major profession of the people of Bhutan is farming, who live in small rural villages. These villages are secluded and are accessible only by foot. But now, as the people are getting educated, they are migrating to towns in search of other occupations.

Climate Bhutan General Information Bhutan Festival Calendar Bhutan General Information The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked nation in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the map bhutanHimalaya Mountains and is bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China. Bhutan is separated from the nearby state of Nepal to the west by the Indian state of Sikkim, and from Bangladesh to the south by West Bengal. The Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul which means "Land of the Thunder Dragon". Bhutan used to be one of the most isolated nations in the world. Developments including direct international flights, the Internet, mobile phone networks, and cable television have increasingly modernized the urban areas of the country. Bhutan has balanced modernization with its ancient culture and traditions under the guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Rampant destruction of the environment has been avoided. The government takes great measures to preserve the nation's traditional culture, identity and the environment.

In 2006, Business Week magazine rated Bhutan the happiest country in Asia and the eighth-happiest in the world, citing a global survey conducted by the University of Leicester in 2006 called the "World Map of Happiness". Bhutan's landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population of 691,141 is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. After centuries of direct monarchic rule, Bhutan held its first democratic elections in March 2008. Among other international associations, Bhutan is a member of the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The total area of the country is currently 38,394 square kilometres (14,824 sq mi) Bhutan Custom Search Bhutan Bhutan, or the Kingdom of Bhutan, is one of the most isolated places in the world.

It is located between India and South China with a population of about 700,000 people. The Land of the Thunder Dragon, as it is called, gets its name from the violent storms that often arrive from the Himalayas during the stormy seasons. Bhutan, is the last independent Buddhist kingdom in the world with over 95% of its citizens being Buddhists and the beliefs and culture of the country is protected by the Bhutanese government from all foreign influences. The bringing of any religious paraphernalia other than Buddhist paraphernalia, is restricted and violators can be prosecuted by law. The nation of Bhutan has slowly become a tourism attraction over the past decade because of the country's beauty and uniqueness. When visiting Asia, particularly Bhutan, there are five important things that tourists need to know. 5 Facts You Might Not Know 1 Tobacco is banned in Bhutan, and cigarettes and other tobacco products are inaccessible in the Nation of Bhutan. Police can raid homes and enforce the tobacco free law of the Nation. 2 Tourists are expected to spend a minimum of $200 US Dollars a day, which means visiting the area can be an expensive adventure.

This was mandated to keep tourism at a minimum due to the size of the country. Bhutan is too small to accept massive tourists at one time. 3 The Bhutan tradition is to refuse food when it is offered you for up to three times before accepting the offer. 4 Also, you are expected to cover your mouth and say the words 'meshu' twice before accepting food offered to you. 5 Bhutan is one of the few 43 landlocked countries in the world. Landlocked countries are cut-off from fishing and the access to seaborne trade, which makes Bhutan and other landlocked countries, financially distressed nations or areas. Bhutan, Beyond Heaven and the Earth... | Flickr Bhutan, Beyond Heaven and the Earth... Ugen C Dorji ADMIN July 21, 2015 Show your product or service here. Try us. It way cheap and very effective. Contact admin. Show your product or service here. Try us. It way cheap and very effective. Contact admin. Cancel This group discussion is for members only.

Group Description The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked nation in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalaya Mountains and is bordered to the south, east and west by India and to the north by Tibet. Bhutan is separated from Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim. The Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་) which means "Land of the Thunder Dragon". Bhutan used to be one of the most isolated nations in the world, but developments including direct international flights, internet, mobile phone networks, and cable television have increasingly opened the doors. Yet, Bhutan has balanced modernization with its ancient culture and traditions under the guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Rampant destruction of the environment has been avoided. The government takes great measures to preserve the nation's traditional culture, identity and the environment. Accordingly, in 2006 Business Week rated Bhutan the happiest country in Asia and the eighth happiest country in the world citing a global survey conducted by the University of Leicester in 2006 referenced to as the "World Map of Happiness".

The landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. After centuries of direct monarchic rule, Bhutan held its first democratic elections in March 2008. Among other international associations, Bhutan is a member of the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Group Rules The joining of the members to the Group "Bhutan, Beyond Heaven and the Earth" is subjected to the following agreements. 1. Should not abuse any of the content. 2. Agree not to upload porn movies, videos or any adult contents. 3. No personal or your business links to be posted. 4. No advertisement of anything by any means. 5. No altering or commenting using abusive words. The administrator(s)/Owner of the group have the right to delete/remove any pictures from the group pool without any notification to the concerned people or the member(s).

Should the above rules to be follow and proceed further from here, you agree to hold the above agreement into all times you use the group. Enjoy your exploring and help us serve you efficiently. Additional Info Accepted content types: Photos, Videos, Images, Art, Screenshots Accepted safety levels: Safe Bhutan Bhutan About Bhutan Bhutan - The Country Bhutan is a small country in the heart of Himalaya. Druk Yul, as the country is called is the land of the thunder Dragon. The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu . The country is landlocked with India bordering three sides whereas in the North the towering mountains of the Chomolhari range provide the frontier with the Chumbi Valley of Tibet. Except for the southern part of the country, rest of Bhutan is mountainous, pristine beauty of which attracts travelers to this country. In 1907 a hereditary monarchy was established in the country uniting the deferent groups into the Kingdom of Bhutan. During the next few decades India became independent from British occupation whereas Tibet was taken over by the Chinese. This meant dramatic changes for Bhutan. The kingdom singed treaty of friendship with India whereas it closed to traditional trade routes with Tibet.

The status till date remains quite the same. Currently the Kingdom is moving forward under the leadership of its king Jigme Singe Wangchuk. Tourism in the country is highly controlled by the government. Visit by foreigners is expensive and controlled by the government. Indian tourists can have easier access to the Kingdom. naturebeyond organizes regular customized tours to Bhutan with both international as well as Indian guests. This activities include adventure as well as leisure tours. People People of Bhutan The people of Bhutan are called Drukpas , derived from the name of the country, DRUK YUL, land of the Thunder Dragon. The Drukpas consist of a variety of ethnicity who are mainly categorized into three broad ethnic groups. The Sharchops are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan . Apparently Indo-Mongoloid in origin, the question of their exact origin or how they reached Bhutan, remains unsolved. Today the Sharchops live largely in the eastern regions. The second group, known as the Ngalops, are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants who migrated to Bhutan since the ninth century onwards, settling primarily in the west.

The third section of the population are the nepalese, who began to settle in the south towards the end of the nineteenth century. Rugged, mountainous terrain and extremes of climate have made the Bhutanese a hardy, well-built people, accustomed to hard work. Despite the strong martial spirit which has enabled them to retain their national independence and sovereignty over the centuries, they are peaceful and fun-loving. As much as 85% of Bhutan's population live on subsistence farming, scattered throughout the countryside in sparsely populated villages across rugged mountainous terrain. In the lower valleys rice remains the staple diet whereas maize, wheat, buckwheat are more common in higher valleys. The people farm on narrow terraces cut into the slopes of the mountains. Topography largely determines the settlement patterns. History History of Bhutan Being a landlocked country, the history of Bhutan has always been influenced by its geography. The known history of Bhutan begins with the legends of the visit of Padma Sambhava, believed to have come to Bhutan from Tibet in 747 AD. Guru Padma Sambhava is known to be the founder of Buddhism in the country.

The Nyingmapa sect, literally which means ' The old Sect' of Himalayan Buddhism was founded by Padma Sambhva. The turmoil in Tibet and related migration to Bhutan started first in the 836-842 AD. This lead to several rival sects challenging the authority of the Nyingmapa sect. Although the natural frontiers of Bhutan kept outsiders away, the country was not unified till the 17th century. There were a number of independent principalities, each associated with the major ethnic and religious groups who had settled in the central valleys after migrations from the north. The descendants of the migrants today form the largest part of the population in Bhutan. By the 14th century a number of families emerged in the region who owed their position to religious prestige. The best known among them are the descendent of the saints of Nyingmapa sect. In Tibet on the other hand, the Yellow Hat Gelugpa sect, headed by the Dalai Lama, had extended its power as far as the Ralung Monastery near Lhasa. Ngawang Namgyal, a drukpa sect lama had to take refuge to Bhutan in 1616.

Soon Ngawang Namgyal ensured support from families of his own sect and went on to build a series of Dzong (monastery castle) throughout the country. These Dzongs became the center of religious and civil authority and remains a major symbol of Bhutanese culture and tradition till today. Ngawang Namgyal won victory over the Tibetans in 1639 and assumed the title of Shabdung. He unified the kingdom and established a dual theocratic system of government with himself as the first Shobdung Rimpoche. He also established an intricate and comprehensive system of governance in the country. By the time of his death in 1651, the whole of western Bhutan was united under his authority. Within the next few years, more parts of Bhutan was unified. During the rule of Ngawang Namgyal there were several unsuccessful invasion attempts from Tibet by the King of Tibet as well as Mongol leaders. This also cemented the need for uniting the country against a common enemy. Death of Ngawang Namgyal lead to chaos in the country, although a new Shabdung was choosen, the power of the central authority was vastly diluted.

During the coming years there were wars fought with the Bhitish and the Cooch kings of Coochbehar. But the Bhutanese Border remained broadly unchanged. During the early part of the 20th century the power balance in the country was divided with the Penlop of Paro and Tongsa having the strongest political clout in the country. During the expedition of Younghusbend to Tibet, the Penlop of Tongsa, Ugyen Wangchuck, came out in its support and thus came closer to the British. Later Ugyen Wangchuck was appointed by civil and monastic representatives the hereditary monarch of Bhutan, with the title Druk Gyalpo, Precious Ruler of the Dragon People. Ugyen Wangchuck was succedded by his son Jigme Wangchuck in 1926 who ruled until his death in 1952. The next monarch of the country was Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who ruled the country between 1952 and 1972. Since his death his son Jigme Singye Wangchuck is ruling the country till date.

Festivals Festivals of Bhutan The Dzongs are the centre of social and cultural activity in Bhutan. Almost every town worth a deko has its own Dzong where festivals are held every year. The objective of these festivals is to ward off evil through music, songs, dance and rituals. The common dance forms include masked dance, fire dance and sword dance. The dances are held in the main courtyards of the Dzongs. Apart from the normal Buddhist festivals such as the Lhosar, the annual festivals are celebrated with great fanfare in Bhutan. The most famous of these festivals is the Tsechu festivals held on the 10th day of the lunar calendar. The festival commemorates the deeds of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche. The guru is known to have introduced the Nyingma school of Buddhism which is dominant in Bhutan. Normally these festivals last for 5 days. A tentative calender of the festivals are given below. Bhutan Festival Calender Geopolitical Overview Geopolitical Overview Links Bhutan The Kingdom of Bhutan, also called Druk Yul meaning "land of the thunder dragon", is a landlocked South Asian nation situated between India and China.

The entire country lies in the mountains of the Himalayas, except for a 13-16 km wide strip of subtropical plains in the extreme south. The elevation gain from the subtropical plains to the glacier-covered Himalayan heights exceeds 7,000 m, while the entire north-south distance of the country covers only 170km. The northern belt of Bhutan borders with Tibet. At altitudes of 3500-5000m, it has a harsh climate and is inhabited only by the nomadic yakherders, mainly in Lingzhi, Laya, and Lunana. The central valleys at 1000-3500m are alluvial valleys seperated by high mountains, and divided along historical and linguistic lines. A fortress, called dzong, commands each valley. Due to the high mountain passes between the valleys, there was little communication across the width of Bhutan in the past; most regions traded either with the north (Tibet) or the south (India). Consequently, languages evolved in isolated pockets, and there are few regions in the world where as many languages are spoken in such a small compass.

Dzongkha is the national language which is taught in the school system and serves to foster unity and identity across Bhutan. (For more information on Bhutan’s languages, click here .) The main inhabitants of the central valleys are Drukpas (the name druk comes from the monastery Druk near Lhasa) of Tibeto Mongol origin. 85% of them are farmers and animal breeders. In a simplified east-west division, the western valleys are suitable for rice paddies and orchards, the central valleys grow barley, buckwheat, potatoes and breed yak and sheep, and in the east mostly maize is cultivated. The southern belt made up of Samtse, South Chhukha, Tsirang, Sarpang, and Samdruk Jongkhar lies at 100-1000m elevation. It is largely inhabited by Lhotsampas (people of the southern border) who are of Nepali origin. Bhutan' s traditional economy is based on forestry, animal husbandry and subsistence agriculture however these account for less than 50% of a GDP now that Bhutan has become an exporter of hydroelectricity.

Cash crops, tourism, and development aid (the latter mostly from India) are also significant. Population estimates range from 734,000, to 2.23 million. Wildlife in Bhutan is rich and varied, with 26% of the country’s land in protected reserves. Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations in the world with an intact rich heritage; foreign influences and tourism are heavily regulated by the government to preserve its traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. Bhutan became a monarchy in 1907 under its first king Ugyen Wangchuk. In 2008, Bhutan held its first national elections to become a democracy. FRONTLINE/WORLD . Bhutan - The Last Place . Did You Know? | PBS  Landlocked, wedged between China to the north and India to the south, Bhutan remained closed to the outside world until 1974.  The department of tourism pursues a policy of "Low Volume, High Quality." Fewer than 8,000 people were granted visas to enter the country in 2000, and the cost of a tourist visa is approximately $200 per day.

 A hereditary monarchy was established in Bhutan in 1907. Power is shared between the King, the Tsogdu (National Assembly) and the Je Khemp (Monastic Head) of the lamas. Bhutan still has no formal constitution.  Bhutan is roughly the size of Switzerland and about half the size of Indiana.  Forests make up 72.5% of the total area of Bhutan.  90% of Bhutanese live on subsistence farming.  Bhutan is the only country in the world that practices the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion. Tantras are sacred texts from India written between the third and tenth centuries.  Bhutan has more than 2,000 temples and monasteries spread across the nation.  English is taught in schools and it is used as the official working language, but national leaders advocate the use of Dzongkha, Bhutan's national language.  Police may fine any Bhutanese not wearing official national dress in public. Men wear the robe-like gho and women wear the apron-like kira.

Although it has always been customary to wear national dress, it didn't become law until 1990.  Archery, Bhutan's national pastime, is the only Olympic sport the country has ever participated in since it first competed in 1984. While most bows are factory-made from fiberglass, Bhutanese bows are hand-carved from bamboo, and their arrows are made from pheasant and eagle feathers found in the forest.  The Bhutanese name for Bhutan, Druk Yul, means "Land of the Thunder Dragon." (Source: Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2001, published by the Planning Commission of the Royal Government of Bhutan) POPULATION (2001 est.): 698,050 The Peripheral States of South Asia Sikhs protest against India’s opposition to their proposed homeland (nation-state) in the Punjab called Khalistan. People gravitate toward nation-state systems, but globalization supports integration across political boundaries. Source: Photo courtesy of Aaron Jones, 2004. The Punjab region of Pakistan and India is the homeland of the Sikhs, people who follow a religion that is different from Islam or Hinduism.

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1538). All distinctions of caste, creed, race, or gender are rejected in this religion. In Sikhism there is no priestly class. Every person is equally and fully responsible for leading a moral life, which eventually leads to universal salvation. Heaven and hell are not physical places, and God is the cosmic universal spirit. Historically, traditional Sikh men wear turbans on their heads and never cut their hair or beard. Sikhism is a universal religion. A prominent Sikh landmark and spiritual center is their Golden Temple, located in the city of Amritsar in the Indian state of the Punjab. Sikhism is a system of religious philosophy and expression, known as the Gurmat or the counsel of the gurus, or the Sikh Dharma (or way of life). Sikhism comes from the Hindi and Punjabi word sikhna, which means “to learn.” The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in the universal God. Sikhism promotes the pursuit of salvation through discipline and personal meditation on the name and message of God.

However, it must be mentioned that Sikhs have a nonanthropomorphic concept of God; that is, Sikhs do not envision God as having any form or shape or mind similar to that of humans. Sikhism has become the fifth-most widely adhered to religion on Earth. During British colonial occupation of South Asia, Sikhs were elevated to positions of power to help the British rule over Muslim and Hindu populations. The Sikhs are often overshadowed by the large Hindu and Muslim populations in the realm. Many of the Sikhs would like to have their own nation-state, free from Muslim or Hindu domination, and would like to see the Punjab region become the new homeland for this nation-state, called Khalistan Proposed homeland for the Sikhs in the Punjab region of South Asia.. They have held rallies and demonstrations to promote the creation of Khalistan. The Indian government has, however, cracked down on militant movements that support the Khalistan concept. The Khalistan movement was more popular in the 1970s and 1980s and has been scaled down in recent decades. Proponents still attempt to attract young people and foreign donations to its cause.

Khalistan does not have the support of the Pakistani and Indian governments and is not likely to become a reality any time soon. Khalistan is an example of the devolutionary push for a nation-state political unit for a particular group of people with similar aspirations or heritage. The Kingdom of Kashmir Located in the high mountains of the north is the former Kingdom of Kashmir, a separate kingdom before the British divided South Asia. In 1947, when the British drew the boundary between India and Pakistan, the leader of Kashmir, the maharajah, chose not to be a part of either country but to remain independent. About 75 percent of the population in Kashmir was Muslim; the rest, including the maharajah, were mainly Hindu. This arrangement worked for a time, until the Muslim majority was encouraged by their fellow Muslims in Pakistan to join Pakistan. After a Muslim uprising, the maharajah asked the Indian military for assistance. India was more than pleased to oblige and saw it as an opportunity to oppose Pakistan one more time. Today Kashmir is divided, with Pakistan controlling the northern region, India controlling the southern region, and China controlling a portion of the eastern region.

A cease-fire has been implemented, but outbreaks of fighting have occurred. The future of Kashmir is unclear. None of the countries involved wants to start a large-scale war, because they all have nuclear weapons. Figure 9.8 The Issues with Kashmir Pakistan controls the northern areas, India controls Jammu and Kashmir, and China controls the eastern portion, labeled Aksai Chin on this map. All three countries have nuclear weapons, and it seems apparent that none of the countries wants to start a nuclear war. Source: Updated from map courtesy of University of Texas Libraries, . The conflict in Kashmir is about strategic location and control of water rather than labor and resources. It is unknown whether there are abundant minerals in the mountains in Kashmir to be mined, but regardless, there is little mining activity going on, not enough to cause conflict. One of the main physical geography features of importance is water. The Indus River flows through Kashmir from Tibet and into Pakistan. The control of this river system is critical to the survival of people living in northern Pakistan. If India were to place a dam on the river and divert the water to their side of the border, to the dry regions of the south, Pakistan could suffer a water shortage in the northern part of the country.

Another aspect of the Kashmir conflict goes back to the division of Pakistan and India, which pitted Muslims against Hindus along the border region. The religious differences have come to the surface again in the conflict over the control of Kashmir. Extremist movements within Kashmir by the Muslim population have fueled the division between those who support Pakistan and those who support Hindu-dominated India. The Kingdom of Bhutan Landlocked and mountainous, the small Kingdom of Bhutan is remotely located next to the high Himalayas between China and India. The mountain peaks reach more than twenty-three thousand feet. Bhutan is about half the size in physical area of the US state of Kentucky and has fewer than one million people. The southern plains are warm, with subtropical weather, but the higher altitudes of the snow-capped mountains have polar-type climates. The local people call their country the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” because of the harsh storms they experience. Bhutan has large areas of natural habitat that have not been disturbed by human activity. The natural environment and the unique heritage and culture of the people make Bhutan an attractive destination for world travelers. Bhutan is a small country without much industry or high-tech corporate involvement.

Forestry and agriculture are the main economic activities, which account for approximately 60 percent of the country’s population. Grazing livestock and subsistence agriculture are the primary types of farming. Increasing the country’s modest infrastructure is hampered by its high mountains and remote location. India is Bhutan’s main trading partner and has played an important role in the country’s development and economic situation. Figure 9.9 Bhutan’s Famous Taktshang Buddhist Monastery, Commonly Known as the Tiger’s Nest The unique landscapes and cultural experience that Bhutan offers to travelers have promoted tourism as an increasing economic activity. Source: Photo courtesy of Avinash Singh, . Modern transportation and communication technologies are being introduced in Bhutan and are changing how the country is connected to the rest of the global economy. Satellite and cable television, mobile phone networks, the Internet, and major airline service are opening the doors of opportunity and interaction between the people of Bhutan and the rest of the world. Introduction of technological services has prompted Bhutan’s government to take steps to protect its environment and unique heritage. Tourism has become a major focus of the changes. The country has stepped up its efforts to develop tourism but has targeted a specific type of traveler.

Bhutan is an expensive place to visit, which has been the biggest deterrent for travelers. Visitors from places other than India and Bangladesh must agree to strict requirements set by the suppliers of Bhutanese tourism, including large daily fees just to be in the country. Tourism is increasing in Bhutan but remains highly selective in its requirements and regulations. These measures are to ensure that the environmental health of the country remains intact and that there is minimal cultural impact from outsiders. Buddhism is the state religion and is followed by about 75 percent of the population. Hinduism is the second-largest religion and is followed by the other 25 percent of the population. One of the principles of the government in regulating development projects has been the concept of gross national happiness Measure of cultural well-being used to guide development in Bhutan. (GNH), which is used as a guide to determine the impact of a project on the culture and people of Bhutan. The stern measures regarding development have protected the country from serious environmental degradation and have helped to sustain the lifestyles of the Bhutanese people. Some measures may appear harsh to outsiders, but the country is implementing these measures to promote the health and well-being of its people.

For example, tobacco products are banned from being sold in the country. Democratic elections are becoming standard after centuries of rule by a monarchy. The intent of the transition is to provide the people with more direct control of their government and country. Interesting points about the culture of Bhutan include the issue of marriage. Marriages based on love are becoming more common in the cities, while arranged marriages remain a tradition in many of the smaller villages. Under the current legal system, women have the right to inheritance. Homes and personal possessions are passed down through a family’s female children. Traditionally, male children do not inherit. Men are expected to earn their own livelihood and if they get married will most often live in the wife’s house. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. Most villages regularly hold archery competitions, which usually include festivities of serving food and conducting community events. The Kingdom of Nepal Figure 9.10 The Himalayan Mountains and the Tarai Lowlands of Nepal Source: Map courtesy of CIA World Factbook. Bordering the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas, the country of Nepal is isolated from any seacoast and buffered from the outside world by India and China.

Nepal is about the same size in physical area as Bangladesh, and is home to almost thirty million people. More than 80 percent of its people work the land in a region that is suffering from severe deforestation and soil erosion. Trees are cut down to build houses, to cook food, and to keep warm. Without trees to hold the soil, the monsoon rains wash soil from the mountain fields into the valleys. The combination of the fast-growing population with the loss of food-growing capacity means it is only a matter of time before a major crisis occurs in Nepal. Nepal’s best farmland is in the Tarai lowlands of southern Nepal, while the north is quite mountainous. The towering elevation of the Himalayas restricts human habitation in the north. High population growth has also been outstripping the country’s economic growth rate in recent years. Nepal has an abundance of tourist attractions, Mt. Everest being its best known. In addition, there are hundreds of ancient temples and monasteries. Swift flowing streams and high-mountain terrain support a modest trekking industry. Visitors to Nepal have an opportunity to glimpse a rich culture that few outsiders can witness.

The downside is that tourism demands an investment in infrastructure and services. Such investments direct funds away from schools, medical clinics, and public services needed by the Nepalese people. Income from tourism is needed and always welcome, but the trade-off with investments is a difficult choice to make. Tourism in Nepal is not as restrictive as that of Bhutan, and the unique physical and cultural landscapes will continue to draw travelers from throughout the world. Figure 9.11 The Deforested Landscape of Nepal Deforestation is a serious problem. The trees are cut down for firewood and building materials. The winding road connects Kathmandu with Tibet. Source: Photo courtesy of US Department of Agriculture, . Hinduism is the main religion in Nepal, but a blend of Buddhism is more prevalent in the north. The guardian deity of Nepal is Shiva. Pashupatinath Temple, the world’s most significant Shiva worship site, is located in the capital city of Kathmandu. This Shiva temple is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but a major destination for Hindu pilgrims from around the world. Buddhist and Hindu beliefs often mix in Nepal.

There are certain situations where the same deities and temples can be honored or worshipped by members of both religions. In a different part of Nepal, Lumbini—near the city of Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar), on the border with India—is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this one focusing on the birthplace of the Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born about 563 BCE, near Lumbini. The city has recognized the prince with a number of monasteries and temples built in his honor. An entire development zone is restricted to nothing but monasteries and temples. No other commercial or public buildings—such as hotels, shops, or businesses—can be constructed in the zone. The different branches of the Buddhist faith each have their own specific designated sections of the zone. Lumbini is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhist believers from around the world. In the late 1700s, local states of Nepal were consolidated into the one kingdom and ruled by monarchy. The kingdom was ruled by royal families until the mid-1900s.

Nepal has been free of British influence since 1947, but has had trouble establishing a stable central government. The royal family in charge of the kingdom was replaced in 1951, and further democratic reforms were made in 1990. Communist partisans from China have been active in insurgent activities. Frequent protests and civil unrest have caused political instability, which has discouraged tourism and has depressed the economy even further. The Maoist Communist movement and other opposition political parties held mass protests, culminating in a peace accord. Ensuing elections created the establishment of a federal democratic republic. The first president of Nepal was sworn into office in 2008. There is still much tension in the country between those loyal to the royal family and those wanting the royal family to be dissolved. Without a stable government, economic and political progress in Nepal will be a serious challenge. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is a beautiful island about half the size of Nepal. The island has a warm, tropical type A climate, with forested hills and mountains in the center. Rivers flow from the center outward to water the farm fields of rice and other crops.

The best farmland in located in the Sinhalese-controlled areas of the southwestern portions of the island. Cinnamon is native to the island and has been cultivated since colonial times as an important export. Coconuts, coffee, and tea are also important export products. The island is home to various national parks, four biosphere reserves, and several wild elephant herds. Sri Lanka has the potential to become a major tourist destination with high incomes and a hub for international trade. Factors working against Sri Lanka reaching its potential are not based on its physical geography or location, but rather they are linked back to colonialism and cultural or ethnic divisions between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. The people of South Asia follow various religions. Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim. India has a Hindu majority. About 90 percent of the people of Nepal are considered Hindu but many follow a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. The small, mystical, mountainous kingdom of Bhutan is Buddhist. Sri Lanka has its own unique circumstances and is a mixed country with a strong Buddhist majority and an active Hindu minority. The conflict between the majority and the minority ethnic groups fueled a low-level civil war on the island for decades.

Differences in religion, ethnicity, and politics have brought the country to halt on various occasions. Figure 9.12 Picking Tea in Sri Lanka Tea, coffee, and cinnamon are export products of Sri Lanka. Source: Photo courtesy of Tallis, Keeton, . Sinhalese people from somewhere in northern India moved to the island of Sri Lanka about 2,500 years ago. The Sinhalese brought with them Buddhism and the Sinhala language, which belongs to the Indo-European language family. They established themselves on the island for centuries. Sri Lanka was first colonized by Portugal, then Holland. When the British colonized South Asia, they took control of Sri Lanka. It was called Ceylon at that time and changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972. The higher elevations of the center of the island were excellent for tea production; British colonizers established tea plantations there. To work the plantations Britain brought thousands of additional Tamil laborers from southern India across the Polk Strait to Ceylon. Most of the Tamil speak a Dravidian language and follow the Hindu religion.

Figure 9.13 Claims of Tamil in Sri Lanka The Tamil Tigers laid claim to a large portion of the eastern part of the island but did not control it. The only Tamil-controlled areas were in the far north, including the Jaffna Peninsula and a small area around it. When the British were forced out of South Asia and left Ceylon, the Tamils remained on the island. The Tamils now make up only 10 percent of the population and live mainly in the northeastern region of the island. They have been pressuring the Sinhalese majority to split the island politically and grant them independence. An insurgent civil war was waged for decades between the Tamil guerillas—called the Tamil Tigers—and the Sinhalese government. About sixty to eighty thousand people died in this conflict. Originally only controlling the Jaffna Peninsula, the Tamil Tigers later made claims on a large portion of the northeastern part of the island. The Tamil Tigers created a government in the north called Eelam and wanted to legitimize it. The Sri Lankan president announced an end to the civil war in 2009, and the Tigers admitted defeat at that time.

This civil war devastated Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and discouraged foreign investments, further reducing economic opportunities for the island. The Maldives Just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of India lie the Maldives, a group of low-lying islands that consists of twenty-six atolls encompassing a territory of only about 115 square miles. Within the atolls are approximately 1,200 small islands, of which about 200 are inhabited. Portugal controlled the Maldives from 1558 during their colonial expansion into Asia. Holland took over from the Portuguese in 1654. The Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887, which lasted until 1965, when independence was achieved. Three years later the country became a republic. The Maldives is a country with many extremes. It is Asia’s smallest nation in both physical area and population. The island nation has the smallest physical area of any country with a majority Muslim population. The average elevation—four feet, eleven inches above sea level—is the lowest in the world for any country. Fishing and tourism are the chief methods for Maldivians to earn a living. Tourism has increased in recent years.

The many islands and atolls are attractive destinations for world travelers. The first tourist resort opened in 1972. Since that time, dozens of world-class resort facilities have opened for business across the archipelago. Tourism is the country’s number one means of gaining wealth. The coral reefs that make up the island chain are excellent for diving and water sports. The tropical climate and miles of sandy beaches provide for an attractive tourism agenda. The Maldives is an example of an entire country that could be in danger of flooding because of climate change if polar ice melts and sea levels rise. Concerns over the future of the islands gave reason for the president of the country to announce a plan in 2008 to purchase land in other countries in case sea levels rise to a point where the Maldives are no longer habitable. The purchase of land from tourism receipts would provide a place for the Maldivians to move in case they had to evacuate the islands. The administration of the Maldives has worked hard to lobby the international community to address the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the possibility of an increase in sea level caused by the global warming aspect of climate change.

Key Takeaways The Punjab is a highly productive agricultural region located partly in Pakistan and partly in India. The region is home to the Sikh population, which has proposed having its own nation-state. Kashmir is divided between Pakistan, China, and India. The religious differences and the control of a valuable water source are at the core of this conflict. Nepal borders the Himalayan Mountains and has an economy based on agriculture and tourism. High population growth has been stripping the land of trees, causing serious deforestation issues and soil erosion. The Kingdom of Bhutan has placed major restrictions on tourism to protect its environment and limit outside influences on its culture. The beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka experienced a low-level civil war for decades between the Sinhalese Buddhist majority and the Tamil Hindu minority. The island has an excellent location and potential for economic development. The archipelago of the Maldives is a small country that depends on tourism for its economic survival. The low elevation of its land area makes it subject to flooding due to the effects of climate change. Discussion and Study Questions Why is the Punjab region vital to both Pakistan and India? What has been one political goal of the Sikhs living in the Punjab? What three countries control parts of the Kingdom of Kashmir?

Why is the region of Kashmir vital to South Asia’s viability? Why is Bhutan so selective about admitting tourists? Explain Bhutan’s guiding philosophy regarding development. Why is Nepal experiencing environmental degradation? What was the civil war about in Sri Lanka? What did each side want? What is it about each country listed that is attractive to the tourism industry? What plan was announced to address the Maldives’s environmental concerns? Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map: Jaffna Peninsula Welcome || Mila Adventure Search Nepal Nature has been kind to our small Himalayan kingdom. It has expressed itself in a variety of genres.The unique geographical location of this landlocked country has resulted... more Tibet The name itself invokes a sense of mystery and magic. Spread over a vast expanse of high altitude desert beyond the Himalayas this ancient kingdom is truly the last of the Shangri-Las... more Bhutan Sandwiched between two Asian Giants, the small Himalayan kingdom is truly one of the last Shangri- las. Mysterious and alluring, the land of the thunder dragon has always...

more Sikkim Small but beautiful, this small erstwhile Himalayan in the northeastern frontier of India, is wedged between China, Nepal, Bhutan and the sleepy Darjeeling district. Remote... more

Question: Which landlocked Asian country has a name that means 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'?
Answer: BHUTAN